The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is barking at the wrong tree.
This was how Senator Franklin Drilon addressed reports that Team PNoy is eyeing a sweep victory in the 2013 senatorial race to support his senate presidency in the next Congress.
“I will not dignify those statements because I am not a candidate. They are barking up the wrong tree,” Drilon told reporters in a weekly press conference.
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Drilon, who will reportedly replace Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, reminded UNA he is not running for re-election.
He
insisted for the opposition to be more focused on presenting their
platforms instead of spreading rumor to propel their campaign.
“We
are more focused on presenting Team PNoy as a team, which fully
supports President Aquino’s platform of good governance which in turn
has resulted in an improved economy and better social and health
services,” Drilon said.
“The issue is whether we are for good
governance. If they say otherwise, it’s up to them as long as they spell
my name correctly,” he added.
Re-electionist Senator Aquilino
“Koko” Pimentel III introduced Drilon, who is serving as Team PNoy’s
campaign manager, as “the next Senate President.”
This
triggered a 'conspiracy theory' idea from the opposition, which alleged
that a 12-0 victory will be enough to install a new senate president in
the 16th president.
“For all intents and purposes, it is the members of the 16th Congress who will choose the next Senate President.” Drilon said.
“These
are the issues in the campaign and the senate presidency in the 16th
Congress is a question that the senators will decide upon as an
independent body, since the Senate has been known for its independence
by law and by tradition,” Drilon said.
“By law, the 16th
Congress will have a new set of officers, both the Senate and the House
will elect its officers with the new Congress council, who believers of
the House and the Senate will be is a matter for each House in chair,”
he added.
“Let’s just move on and instruct what the people are
looking for and what this campaign is all about. And this campaign for
the Team PNOY is a campaign on good governance. It’s a platform that we
should carry on, until the end of the elections,” he said.
